Seventy-two anglers with disabilities enjoyed two days of warm, mostly sunny weather and caught plenty of panfish, northerns, largemouth bass and a few walleyes during the 37th annual Fishing Has No Boundaries Hayward Event May 17-18 on the Chippewa Flowage.
The group of anglers, guides and assistants also enjoyed food, camaraderie and prizes over the two days.
“It was the best weather in years,” said participant Ann Brost of Iron River. “We caught enough fish to feed our whole tent. It was fantastic. We fed a lot of worms to the fish.” The group’s guide was Mike Champion.
The Ray Larsen Memorial Award for a guide or guide assistant was presented to John Nitzke and the Woodard family—Steve, Fred and Christine—of Beloit.
The Kingfisher Award was presented to Mike Amrhein of Hayward, who has chaired the fish cleaning crew at the Don Lessard Memorial Fish Cleaning Tent for many years; and also to volunteer Brian Leritz.
Announcer Heidi Overman said Lake Chippewa Campground donated gas for the watercraft during the weekend.
Prizes for the biggest fish caught during the weekend were presented to:
Northern pike: First, Annika Thompson, Hayward 26 1/4 inches; second, Tamara McDonald, 25 inches; third, Paul West, 24 3/4 inches.
Walleye: First, Garrison Israelson, 16 inches; second, Bob Ackerman, 15 inches.
Perch: First, Anthony Gering, 10 inches; second (determined by coin toss), James Clay, 9.5 inches; third, Brandon Ackley, 9.5 inches.
Panfish: First, John Inglett, 9.5 inches; second, Bentley White, 9 1/4 inches; third, Brexin Garcia Lasley, 9 inches.
Largemouth bass: First, George Greve, Hayward, 17 inches; second Garrison Israelson, 16 3/4 inches; third, Ryan Nadelhoffer, Hayward, 15 1/4 inches.
Crappie: First (tie broken by coin toss), Travis Gordon, 12 inches; second, Brian Schneider, 12 inches; third (four-way tie), Terry Polduke.
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